Oakland: Convalescent hospital fire investigated as possible arson

OAKLAND -- A fire in a linen cart at a convalescent hospital -- the second blaze at the facility since Jan. 20 -- is being investigated as an arson, a fire inspector said Thursday morning.

No one was injured.

The blaze was reported about 2:04 a.m. at Lakeshore Convalescent Hospital at 1901 Third Ave., according to Oakland fire Battalion Chief Emon Usher.

The hospital's fire and alarm systems responded, Usher said, turning on sprinklers in the closet where the fire originated, closing fire doors to contain smoke and flames, and sending an alert to firefighters at the same time a person at the hospital called 911. The fire was under control by about 2:22 a.m.

An electrical fire in a dryer brought firefighters to the facility just after midnight on Jan. 20, but that fire was ruled accidental, according to Fire Investigator Weldon Clemens.

Thursday morning's fire may have been related to an argument between two residents at the home who were smokers, Clemens said, but he is still investigating.